I am Truly Happiest When I am Alone in My Studio

My studio is looking pretty sweet and I love being in there. There's a lot of stress at home helping to take care of my dad so I find true refuge in my space, probably more than I ever have. I haven't been able to spend much time working, so when I am in there, the time is precious. I now have my beloved Icelandic finds on the wall and in various arrangements, my books are organized and my bench is totally set-up. Today I was able to find two hours of uninterrupted time and I felt so relaxed, so very happy. Being in the studio alone is the best and this new one of mine is a special place already.

The title of this post is my Twitter status from yesterday. It's the thought I had as I stitched and listened to one of my favorite Icelandic bands, Hjaltalín.

Thanks for reading.

Guest Star Friday #128…Agnes Martin

The Tree

I've been spending a lot of time with Agnes Martin again. I spent a lot of time with her when I was in Iceland so I guess I am picking up with her where I left off, too, just like in my work as I mentioned yesterday. Right now I'm just looking, though. I'm not reading. I just want to feel these paintings and I find them to be very calming and contemplative…the subdued color, the order of the grid or striped patterns, the appealing square shape of each composition. There is a lot of emotion here underneath all that subtly…

The Sea

Rain (Study)

Night Sea

Stone

See more of my favorite Agnes Martin paintings on Pinterest.

Also see more on Artsy.

Thanks for reading.

Picking Up Where I Left Off

In addition to starting the "homeland" part of  my new work, I'm also happily working on the final necklace in my "Alone/Together" series that I began in Iceland. This is the first I have embroidered since I left Iceland and it feels wonderful, not only the technique/process but also resuming work on a beloved piece from a beloved place. It's also an opportunity to be still and quite which also feels really important because there is a lot happening in my home life with my father…

When I am done with this piece, it will be the biggest necklace I have made. It's exciting to me to be working in this scale and it feels transitional as I move toward more sculptural work. The necklace will measure about 16 feet long.

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Pinterest!

I'm now on Pinterest! I've been "avoiding" it because I know it could be a recipe for obsession. I've had friends tell me how many hours they spend pinning and I know I could easily follow in their footsteps. I spend a lot of time on the internet and I love organizing. However, I realize what a great way Pinterest is to keep track of things I'm interested in, much like bookmarks only better because it's all visual. I'm also excited about it because it's another way I can share what inspires me with all of you. I have a few boards started including "Abandoned Spaces," "Arrangements and Collections," and "Favorite Jewelry by Others." I also created a board for last week's Guest Star, Liza Lou, and will add more boards that feature the work of artists I admire.

Thanks for reading!

P.S. Just a reminder…I'm also on Instagram!

Moving and Starting

I moved all my furniture and tools into my studio on Friday on what seemed like the coldest day ever. It was below zero! I got everything set-up for the most part and I'm sure I'll move things around a bit more as I adjust to the new space. I also have to hang some things on the wall which is always very fun for me. The space is feeling really good already!

As you know, I've been walking, collecting images and thinking, and today, I'm going to start working. This day is always an exciting and daunting one and I feel the same as I usually do, both enlivened
and scared. I will probably do some sketching and maybe make a maquette in paper. I just want to get some initial thoughts into physical form as the next step in my process.

Thanks for reading.

Guest Star Friday #127...Liza Lou

Untitled #7

I'm going to change things up a little with my Guest Star series now. Since I feel this shift in my work happening, I'm spending a lot of time reading about artists working in other media besides jewelry. I would like to start sharing these people with you and, because today is the first Friday of the new year, this is the perfect time.

Chain

Today's Guest Star is Liza Lou. I have known about Liza's work for years, learning about her for the first time when I did beadwork in the 90s. I remember seeing her "Backyard" and "Kitchen" installations, unexpectedly, in Grand Central Station and was just blown away. I haven't looked at her work in years but was recently reintroduced and, once again, found myself blown away. Her work has changed considerably--it's now minimal, often monochrome, subtle, quiet…still incredibly labor intensive, intricate, layered…all in woven glass beads.

Devotional, detail

Gather (one million)

Gather (one million), detail

Untitled (Black & White)

Thanks for reading. 

New Year, New Website (and New Studio and New Work!)

amytavern.com

I am very pleased to announce my new website! The URL is the same, but the look is quite different. I've been wanting to overhaul my site ever since my last year as a Penland resident artist. Finally, I had the time and resources to do it, and with the help of my friend and graphic designer, Brandon Dawley, I now have a new site--a simple portfolio style with photo sets for each body of work and project. I've also include a set for my Arrangements and some of my favorite Pictures. Brandon and I used Krop and chose the Grid template. It was very easy to use and the process went quickly. Then I spent the last few days detailing it. I'm really happy with the results and hope you will take a few minutes to visit. I will continue to update it regularly with new work and would like to add some of my writing somehow. Please check back for updates…and I will post them here, of course.

As I was walking over to my studio this morning I was thinking about how much is new in my life: so much of it began just a few weeks ago or is happening right now at this very moment! I have a new home and new life, a new studio, a new website, I'm about to make new work…it's a lot of change and it can feel overwhelming at times. But, it mostly feels really, really good and very, very exciting. I look forward to sharing my New Year with all of you and wish each of you all the best in 2014!

Thanks for reading.